Overhead mountable storage system

ABSTRACT

A storage system mountable to a ceiling or other overhead structure. The system having at least two support rails attachable to an overhead member; and at least two storage unit receiving track members configured to movably attach to the at least two support rails in a spaced relationship, the at least two storage unit receiving track members each having a side ledge configured to receive and support an opposite upper portion of one or more storage units comprising a container and lid member wherein opposite upper portions extend into oppositely facing side ledges of the at least two storage unit track members when movably attached to the at least two support rails. A bucket receiving member slidably inserts into the side ledges of the at least two storage unit receiving track members wherein the bucket receiving member is configured to retain buckets such as the ubiquitous 10 gallon bucket.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present invention relate to a storage systemmountable to a ceiling or other overhead structure.

BACKGROUND

Storage space is often limited in garages due to the fact thatindividuals desire to park items such as, automobiles, recreationalvehicles, boats and the like in garages and other enclosed storagespaces. Accordingly, much of the garage and storage space is occupied bythese vehicles and not useful for storage. It is therefore desirous tomaximize the utilization of space surrounding the automobiles and otheritems as mentioned previously, as well as other floor-space andwall-space occupying items. The space above all of these type items isone area of premium suitability for storage if a properly constructedstructure is in place.

It would be advantageous to develop a storage system installable on aceiling or other overhead structure. It would be particular advantageousif the storage system is useable in a garage and other storage spaces ifsuch that the space above automobiles and other type mentioned items isavailable for storage.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a systemcomprising broadly at least two support rails attachable to an overheadmember; and at least two storage unit receiving track members configuredto movably attach to said at least two support rails in a spacedrelationship, said at least two storage unit receiving track memberseach having a side ledge configured to receive and support an oppositeupper portion of one or more storage units comprising a container andlid member wherein opposite upper portions extend into oppositely facingside ledges of said at least two storage unit receiving track memberswhen movably attached to said at least two support rails.

In one embodiment, a bucket receiving member is configured to slidablyinsert between two storage unit receiving track members for support bysaid side ledges. Said bucket receiving member is further configured toretain buckets such as the ubiquitous 10 gallon bucket. In oneembodiment, the bucket receiving member acts as a clamp about an upperportion of the bucket. The bucket receiving member may accommodatebuckets from 1 to 10 gallons or more.

Advantageously, the support rails and storage unit receiving trackmembers are designed such that the storage unit receiving track membersmay be attached to said support tracks in an angled manner relative tosaid support rails. Such a relationship is more versatile than a simpleorthogonal relationship.

Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention willbecome evident from the following detailed description, drawings andclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate storage unit receiving track members according tothe embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an end view of a storage unit receiving track memberaccording to the embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrates support rails attached to a ceilingaccording to the embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an end view of a storage unit receiving track memberconnected to a support rail according to the embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate storage unit receiving track members movablyattached to support rails according to the embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 6A-6E illustrate various storage units hanging from said storageunit receiving track members according to the embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a bucket receiving member in closed and openpositions, respectively, according to the embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a bucket clamped by said bucket receivingmember according to the embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a bucket receiving member inserted into the storageunit receiving track members according to the embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate an alternative embodiment of said storage unitreceiving track members comprising three members according to theembodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 illustrates a wheel for translating storage unit receiving trackmembers according to the embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles inaccordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference willnow be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specificlanguage will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless beunderstood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is therebyintended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventivefeature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of theprinciples of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normallyoccur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of thisdisclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the inventionclaimed.

The embodiments of the present invention, as described below in moredetail, involve an overhead storage system comprising broadly a seriesof support rails attachable to an overhead structure (e.g., ceiling) anda series of storage unit receiving track members movably attachable tosaid support rails permitting the storage unit receiving track membersto slide along the support rails changing the distance betweenneighboring storage unit receiving track members such that storage unitsof various sizes can be accommodated. The various components of thestorage system detailed herein may be fabricated of any suitablematerials including, but not limited to, metals, alloys, composites,woods, plastics, etc., and may be fabricated using any suitabletechnique including, but not limited to, machining, molding, machiningand additive processes.

FIGS. 1A-1D and 2 show storage unit receiving track members 100. In oneembodiment, the storage unit receiving track members 100 have anI-shaped cross-section. Two lower side ledges 110 serve to receivestorage units as detailed below. One or more connector members 120 onthe top and bottom hold the two halves together to form the I-shapedcross section. Openings 125 or slots in the top and bottom of thestorage unit receiving track members 100 provide a passage for fasteners(e.g., bolts) suitable for movably attaching said storage unit receivingtrack members 100 to the supports rails 150.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate support rails 150 attached to a ceilingaccording to the embodiments of the present invention. Attachment of thesupport rails 150 to the ceiling may be accomplished using any suitablefasteners such as screws, nails, staples, adhesive, etc. The supportrails 150 define an internal track 155 configured to receive wheels 160(see FIGS. 1A and 1B) which are able to translate along the length ofthe internal track 155. Bolts 165 pass through openings 125 in the topand bottom of the storage unit receiving track members 100 and into thethreaded openings 170 in the wheels 160 such that the storage unitreceiving track members 100 are able to translate along the length ofsaid internal tracks 155. In this manner, the bolts 165 may be loosenedallowing the storage unit receiving track members 100 to slide along thesupport rails 150 to accommodate storage units of various sizes.Tightening bolts 165 set the storage unit receiving track members 100 atthe proper location along the support rails 150. While wheels 160 aredescribed, it is recognized that other articles, such as rollers,bearings and similar roller mechanism may be used to translate thestorage unit receiving track members 100 along internal tracks 155. FIG.11 shows a roller article 161 of the type suitable to translate thestorage unit receiving track members 100 along internal tracks 155.

FIG. 4 illustrates an end view of a storage unit receiving track member100 connected to the support rail 150 via fastener 165. As shown, thesupport rail 150 defines an internal track 155 having a generallyC-shaped cross section. The wheel 160 is able to translate along thelength of the internal track 155.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate storage unit receiving track members 100 movablyattached to support rails 150 according to the embodiments of thepresent invention. In FIG. 5A, the storage unit receiving track members100 are movably attached to the support rails 150 in a substantiallyorthogonal relationship. In FIG. 5B, the storage unit receiving trackmembers 100 are movably attached to the support rails 150 in an angledrelationship. FIGS. 6A-6D show various storage units 175 hanging fromthe storage unit receiving track members 100. FIG. 6E shows an end viewof a storage container 175 hanging from a pair of storage unit receivingtrack members 100.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a bucket receiving member 200 in closed andopen positions, respectively, according to the embodiments of thepresent invention. The bucket receiving member 200 includes twogenerally identical leafs 205-1 and 205-2 which when connected define acircular opening 210. In other embodiments, the two leafs may be any twopaired parts (identical or not) which define a circular opening. Thecircular opening 210 is dimensioned to receive and retain a bucket 215as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. Buckets of all sizes, including 1 to 10gallon types may be attached using the bucket receiving member 200.

In one embodiment, the two leafs 205-1 and 205-2 are joined to oneanother at two locations via common fasteners. As shown, a first pair ofblock members 220-1 and 220-2 and second pair of block members 225-1 and225-2 are positioned on the first leaf 205-1 and second leaf 205-2,respectively, to accept an end portion of an opposite leaf. As shown,one of the block members 220-1 is attached to one side of the leaf 205-1while the other block member 220-2 is attached to an opposite side ofthe block member 220-2. The same arrangement is true for leaf 205-2 andblock members 225-1 and 225-2. The two connection points permit thebucket receiving member 200 to open and close as detailed below. In oneembodiment, bolt and cotter pin combinations 230-1 and 230-2 join thetwo leafs 205-1, 205-2 to one another via the block members 220-1,220-2, 225-1 and 225-2. Use of the bucket receiving member 200 involvesdisengaging one bolt and cotter pin combination allowing the two leafs205-1 and 205-2 to rotate into an open position relative to each otherabout the opposite bolt and cotter pin combination thereby permittingthe bucket receiving member 200 to clamp about one of thecircumferential ridges proximate to the top of the bucket 215. Once thebucket 215 is positioned within the circular opening 210, the two leafs205-1, 205-2 are closed and the bolt and cotter pin engaged to retainthe bucket 215. FIG. 9 illustrates the bucket receiving member 200inserted into the storage unit receiving track members 100.

In another embodiment, the block members may be attached to the sameleaf as long as one leaf may be rotated about the other. The bucketreceiving member may also be fabricated without the block members. Forexample, the leafs may be attached to one another directly usingfasteners allowing rotation about one connection point when the otherconnection point is disengaged.

FIGS. 10A-10C show an alternative embodiment of a storage unit receivingtrack member 300 comprising three separate members according to theembodiments of the present invention. FIGS. 10A and 10B show ends of twoelongated half members 310, 315 that join to form the I-shaped storageunit receiving track member 300. Half member 310 takes a generallyT-shape while half member 315 takes a generally upside T-shape. The twohalf members 310, 315 mate via a pair of loops 311, 316 which receive astraight member 312, 317 of the opposite half member 310, 315. A splicemember 320 may be used to further secure the two half members 310, 315.Spaced indents 313, 318 are positioned to insert into spaced openings321, 322 in the splice member 320. In this embodiment, the storage unitreceiving track member 300 is less burdensome to transport as it may bedisassembled and reassembled easily.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference toseveral embodiments, additional variations and modifications existwithin the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined inthe following claims.

I claim:
 1. A system comprising: at least two support rails that are configured to be mounted to a ceiling, each of said at least two support rails define a length having a top surface, a bottom surface and a pair of opposed side walls, wherein a slot is formed in each bottom surface, wherein each slot extends the entire length of each of said at least two support rails respectively; and at least two storage unit receiving track members that slidably move along and selectively fix to said at least two support rails in a spaced apart relationship using a plurality of wheels; wherein each wheel has a center, an aperture located at the center, and a diameter; wherein a first pair of wheels from said plurality of wheels are horizontally positioned in a first support rail from said at least two support rails between the opposed side walls of said first support rail with the center of each of the wheels from said first pair of wheels being parallel to and aligning with the slot in the bottom surface of the first support rail, and the first pair of wheels are closer to the bottom surface of the first support rail than the top surface of the first support rail; wherein a second pair of wheels from said plurality of wheels are positioned horizontally in a second support rail from said at least two support rails between the opposed side walls of said second support rail with the center of each of the wheels from said second pair of wheels being parallel to and aligning with the slot in the bottom surface of the second support rail, and the second pair of wheels are closer to the bottom surface of the second support rail than the top surface of the second support rail; a plurality of fasteners; wherein a first pair of fasteners from said plurality of fasteners extends through a first storage unit receiving track member from said at least two storage unit receiving track members; wherein a first fastener from said first pair of fasteners extends through the slot of the first support rail and into a corresponding aperture of a first wheel from said first pair of wheels within the first support rail; wherein a second fastener from said first pair of fasteners extends through the slot of the second support rail and into a corresponding aperture of a second wheel from said second pair of wheels within the second support rail to suspend the first storage unit receiving track member from the first support rail and the second support rail; wherein a second pair of fasteners from said plurality of fasteners extends through a second storage unit receiving track member from said at least two storage unit receiving track members; wherein a third fastener from said second pair of fasteners extends through the slot of the first support rail and into a corresponding aperture of a third wheel from said first pair of wheels within the first support rail; wherein a fourth fastener from said second pair of fasteners extends through the slot of the second support rail and into a corresponding aperture of a fourth wheel from said second pair of wheels within the second support rail to suspend the second storage unit receiving track member from the first support rail and the second support rail; wherein each fastener from said first and second pair of fasteners is configured to be tightened to maintain the first and second storage unit receiving track members at a fixed location with respect to the first and second support rails; wherein each of said at least two storage unit receiving track members are I-shaped defining side ledges; wherein, when in use, an upper portion of a storage unit is configured to extend into a corresponding pair of opposed side ledges from the side ledges of adjacent storage unit track members from said at least two storage unit track members to suspend the storage unit from the ceiling; wherein, when in use, the storage unit comprises a container and a lid.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least two storage unit receiving track members are further configured to slidably attach to said at least two support rails such that a distance between said at least two storage unit receiving track members may be adjusted to accommodate storage units of varied sizes.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least two storage unit receiving track members are each formed of two half members that attach to one another to form the general I-shape.
 4. A system comprising: at least two support rails that are configured to be mounted to a ceiling, each of said at least two support rails having a top surface, a bottom surface and a pair of opposed side walls, wherein a slot is formed in said bottom surface of each of said at least two support rails; and at least two storage unit receiving track members that slidably move along and selectively fix to said at least two support rails in a spaced apart relationship using a plurality of wheels; wherein each wheel has a center, an aperture located at the center, and a diameter; wherein a first pair of wheels from said plurality of wheels are horizontally positioned in a first support rail from said at least two support rails between the opposed side walls of said first support rail with the center of each of the wheels from said first pair of wheels being parallel to and aligning with the slot in the bottom surface of the first support rail, and the first pair of wheels are closer to the bottom surface of the first support rail than the top surface of the first support rail; wherein a second pair of wheels from said plurality of wheels are positioned horizontally in a second support rail from said at least two support rails between the opposed side walls of said second support rail with the center of each of the wheels from said second pair of wheels being parallel to and aligning with the slot in the bottom surface of the second support rail, and the second pair of wheels are closer to the bottom surface of the second support rail than the top surface of the second support rail; a plurality of fasteners; wherein a first pair of fasteners from said plurality of fasteners extends from a first storage unit receiving track member from said at least two storage unit receiving track members; wherein a first fastener from said first pair of fasteners extends through the slot of the first support rail and into a corresponding aperture of a first wheel from said first pair of wheels within the first support rail; wherein a second fastener from said first pair of fasteners extends through the slot of the second support rail and into a corresponding aperture of a second wheel from said second pair of wheels within the second support rail to suspend the first storage unit receiving track member from the first support rail and the second support rail; wherein a second pair of fasteners from said plurality of fasteners extends from a second storage unit receiving track member from said at least two storage unit receiving track members; wherein a third fastener from said second pair of fasteners extends through the slot of the first support rail and into a corresponding aperture of a third wheel from said first pair of wheels within the first support rail; wherein a fourth fastener from said second pair of fasteners extends through the slot of the second support rail and into a corresponding aperture of a fourth wheel from said second pair of wheels within the second support rail to suspend the second storage unit receiving track member from the first support rail and the second support rail; wherein each fastener from said first and second pair of fasteners is configured to be tightened to maintain the first and second storage unit receiving track members at a fixed location with respect to the first and second support rails; wherein each of said at least two storage unit receiving track members are I-shaped defining side ledges; a bucket receiving member comprising two leaf member which are rotatably connected to each other, wherein a circular opening is defined between the two leaf members, and the circular opening is configured to retain a bucket therein; wherein, when in use, the bucket receiving member and an upper portion of a storage unit is configured to extend into a corresponding pair of opposed side ledges from the side ledges of adjacent storage unit track members from said at least two storage unit track members to suspend the bucket receiving member and the storage unit from the ceiling; wherein, when in use, the storage unit comprises a container and a lid.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein said at least two storage unit receiving track members are each formed of two half members that attach to one another to form the general I-shape.
 6. The system of claim 4 wherein said at least two storage unit receiving track members are further configured to slidably attach to said at least two support rails such that a distance between said at least two storage unit receiving track members may be adjusted to accommodate storage units of varied sizes. 